2023 NCAA DI Men’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – And then there was one meet left.
Here is the newest edition of the NCAA DI Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index for the 2023 season, as released on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Only marks from the current season are being used, which gives an objective look at those teams who are expected to compete for podium spots at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
NCAA Division I — Men's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Arkansas
Arkansas
2
Washington
Washington
3
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
4
Florida
Florida
5
Alabama
Alabama
All TFRI Reports
Arkansas is a clear-cut favorite to walk out of the Albuquerque Convention Center with its 21st national title in program history and first since 2013. The Razorbacks, which bring 15 entries with them to the Land of Enchantment, have seven performances that rank among the national top-5 this season, including national-leading marks from Jaydon Hibbert in the triple jump at 17.10m (56-1¼) and the 4×400 relay at 3:01.53. Expect big things in the jumps from Arkansas, as it will have four entries in that area alone with three top-5 efforts from the regular season.
Washington sits second going into the Championships with 15 entries as well. The Huskies are loaded – and, we mean LOADED – in the mile with six entries in that event alone. Want to blow your mind even more? Five of the six are ranked among the top-6 nationally: Joe Waskom at No. 2, Brian Fay at No. 3, Nathan Green at No. 4, Luke Houser at No. 5 and Aidan Ryan at No. 6. Washington also features the second-ranked DMR and will have two athletes who could add to the team total in both the pole vault (Jacob Englar) and weight throw (Jayden White).
Texas Tech improved its stock with stellar performances at the Big 12 Championships. The Red Raiders, who have nine entries into the NCAA Championships, own national-leading marks in both the 60 meters (Terrence Jones, 6.46) and 200 meters (Courtney Lindsey, 20.20). Texas Tech also has two top-5 athletes in the 60-meter hurdles (Caleb Dean and Antoine Andrews) and the second-best mark in the pole vault thanks to Zach Bradford at 5.83m (19-1½).
Florida enters the NCAA Championships ranked fourth. Doubt the Gators chances of winning a national title at your own peril, though, as they’ve finished top-2 at three of the past five Championships, including back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019. Florida spreads their entries across seven event areas with multiple athletes competing in the 200, 400 and horizontal jumps.
Alabama held steady at No. 5 with a distant shot of making the podium. The Crimson Tide only have five entries into the meet, but all are ranked among the national top-5 – four in the top-2: Tarsis Orogot in the 200 (No. 2, 20.27); Christian Edwards in the triple jump (No. 2, 16.86m/55-3¾); Bobby Colantonio in the weight throw (No. 2, 23.71m/77-9½) and the 4×400 relay (No. 2, 3:01.78).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams: defending champion Texas at No. 6, Tennessee at No. 7, Georgia at No. 8, Oklahoma State at No. 9 and Nebraska at No. 10.
